Does the PCM-M10 has an analog line out ?
Also does this unit have a "low" ( or -20DB ) mic setting ?
http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/product-PCMM10/B/Under the
Resources tab, there's the manual. This and more are answered. It's a great read, actually. I enjoy the Sony manuals.
Yes to analogue output (page 58 and 59)
HI / LOW sensitivity switch for mic (page 42-43)
Oh and I forgot to mention other benefits over MD:
PRE-RECording feature (allows 5 seconds to be buffered when in PAUSE-RECORD mode) can avoid those "I missed it" moments and the great
Limiter on the PCM-D50 can save your buttski if you have it turned on during a loud passage.
Low Cut Filter is also useful, too - especially if your mics don't have one.
Anyway, you may be curious about some of the differences between the PCM-M10 and PCM-D50. I mostly list these for my own amusement (I'll be buying it anyway, it's just that I really do want to get it with the windscreen, and ... well, that windscreen is a bit thin on the ground...but see the bit at the end for windscreen talk)
Sony PCM-M10 compared to Sony PCM-D50:
* smaller size (uses 2x AA versus 4x AA)
* more battery life
* built-in speaker
* hand strap and carrying pouch included
* AUTO record level feature added (in addition to Manual)
* added ability to record MP3 and playback AAC and WMA
* remote control bundled (to match some of the competition)
* slightly reduced headphone output (20mW + 20mW into 16 ohms versus 25mW or more on PCM-D50, but still far better than 5mW [or less] used on all Hi-MD
* no optical in or outs
* fixed integrated (omnidirectional) mics versus movable integrated (cardiod) mics
* MicroSD support and Memory Stick Micro [M2] support (rather than Memory Stick Pro Duo)
* bass enhancement feature added (I guess they don't like to call it Mega Bass) (page 56)
* plastic mic and headphone output sockets versus metal on PCM-D50
* VOLUME buttons versus VOLUME dial on PCM-D50 (recording level dial still present)
* ability to change the Display Mode during playback (ie. take the Level Meters off and display more file info instead) - Pages 49 and 50
* more Playback Modes (page 51 and 52)
* ability to choose battery chemistry in-menu for (supposedly) more acccurate battery life measurements (Page 12 and 13)
* ability to choose between 11 languages for the menu display (Pages 18-19)
* option for Cross-memory recording added (Page 39 and 40)
* Low Cut Filter (LCF) only has ON or OFF feature and it's in-menu not a physical switch. Manual doesn't say what frequency it works at (PCM-D50 gives you a choice of 75Hz and 150Hz and a physical switch for quick ON and OFF).
* LIMITER apparently dumbed-down in PCM-M10 and works in a more advanced (and useful) fashion in the PCM-D50 (if I'm reading early impressions correctly)
* Key Control feature added (Pages 55 to 56)
* TAKE and KEEP feature added (page 62 - 63)
* PROTECT feature added (Page 64)
* ability to copy tracks between internal and removable memory (page 65-66)
* headphone / Line Out jack integrated (and switchable setting in-menu) rather than separate jacks
* Backlight button is menu-selectable: (10sec, 60sec, Always-ON, OFF) but dedicated LIGHT button is missing on unit
* HOLD switch is integrated with POWER switch. Powering on now takes a slide of 1 second on the POWER switch and 2 second slide to POWER OFF rather than just being a regular switch that may be accidentally switched when gripping the unit (though this must be very rare given how the PCM-D50 is designed; it's not very conducive to accidental switchings)
* added the ability to add Track Marks (Pages 60-62) as a separate feature to Dividing a track
* more friendly messages for the masses (see the graphic on Page 24)
* T-MARK (Track Marks) now have precedence over Divide (Divide button is missing on front and is now a menu-item). Divide can no longer be performed during recording, but its use has pretty much been replaced by the much more flexible Track Mark. Track-marking also gives the option to Divide any Track Marks you have.
* FOLDER and MENU function are now two separate buttons. Good. Previously these were shared on the same button with a quick press and a longer press separating their functions.
* Dedicated DELETE button added
So Sony giveth and they taketh away, too. But they've done a lot here and it's a great value product, I feel. Sony has looked at the competition and decided on a strong set of features while taking some of the (arguably) less-important ones away (yay for competition).
Windscreen talkAs an aside, the manual hints at the elusive
PCM-M10P on the first page (listing the model number there) as well as on
Page 9 and
Page 92. This model apparently comes with the
AD-PCM2 windscreen bundled.
When will we see it? Who knows.
Sony, any word?